NORTH RIVER, N.S. – While many local fighters will be competing at an event later this month in Millbrook, the highlight of the night will be when a young Truro fighter steps into the ring.
Mitch Redmond, 19, of the Hubtown Boxing Club, will put his 5-0 record on the line in his May 26 bout at Legends Gaming Centre.
Redmond has come a long way since his debut in boxing seven months ago, winning all five matches he’s competed in, including the co-main event at the club’s last fight night in October.
“I’ve got background in other martial arts,” said Redmond, about his short but successful boxing career so far.
“I’ve done eight years of Brazilian jiu-jitsu and another five years of kickboxing. My brother originally got me into jiu-jitsu when I was playing hockey in major bantam. I really didn’t have the time to commit to it at first, but I quickly fell in love with it. From there, hockey just became less interesting. All I wanted to do was fight.”
Redmond’s experience in other combat sports has made him a dangerous opponent.
“His style is unlike anyone I’ve ever seen,” said Darrin Mosher, head of Hubtown Boxing Club.
“It’s not a style traditionally taught, so it makes him a very difficult opponent and hard to stick with. For every five punches you get on him, he’s got 20 on you. He’s a really unique boxer.”
Redmond’s calm demeanor in the ring also benefits his style, allowing him to make fast, calculated moves against his opponent.
“A lot of people get in the ring and get nervous or worked up by the crowd. Then they end up forgetting what they know how to do,” he said.
“Being able to keep my head cool and thinking about what I’m doing in there allows me to watch and analyze my opponent to figure out what he’s doing.”
Before boxing, Redmond’s original plan was to advance into MMA. But due to lack of fights in kickboxing and his recently found success in boxing, Redmond plans on getting as many fights as he can under his belt before 2019, which will allow him to compete as an open class fighter.
“Right now I want to see how far amateur boxing takes me,” he said.
“If I don’t make a national team after a certain amount of time, I’ll just be repeating myself, so at that time, I’ll go pro in boxing.
“If you’re in amateur boxing, you can’t do other combat sports during that time, but if I go pro, I can compete as an amateur in MMA. If I can make a living off boxing though, that’s what I’m going to do.”
Redmond will continue to prepare over the next week for his May 26 match in front of the hometown crowd.
“I don’t usually get nervous when a match is coming up,” he said.
“I’m usually on edge a little bit, because if you’re not, you usually underestimate your opponent. I’m more focused on getting prepared and being ready to give my best performance that night. I want to be on top of my game.”
* * * *
Local club brings knockout event to Millbrook
MILLBROOK, N.S. – Fighters from across the Maritimes will be descending on Millbrook later this month when Hubtown Boxing Club hosts Saturday Night Fights.
The 14-bout card will feature 28 fighters, ranging in age from 11 to adults, and will take place at Legends Gaming Centre in Millbrook on May 26.
“There will be a mix of kids, teenagers, adults and women boxers in the fights. It’s going to be one heck of a night,” said Darrin Mosher, head of Hubtown Boxing Club.
This will be the club’s first fight card since October, and will feature some of the club’s best boxers entering the ring against new opponents.
“We have fighters coming from Cape Breton and across the mainland, but we’ve also got a lot coming from New Brunswick for the event too.”
Mosher’s 14-year-old son, Jeremiah, will be among the club’s competitors at the event. He will be stepping inside the ropes for the his second boxing match since he began training four years ago.
“I’m pretty excited and confident going into the fight,” said Jeremiah.
“I’ve been doing lots of running, cardio work and high-endurance exercises with the punching bag. It really wears me out, but I’d like to become world champion someday when I’m older, so I’ll stick with it.”
The club’s last fight night event was a huge success, selling out within an hour of opening up, but capacity issues at the event’s previous location allowed only a crowd of about 200 people. At Legends, however, capacity is almost 1,000, said Mosher.
“We changed up the location this time because we had to turn people away at the door last time, but here we can have as many tables as we want. There is a smoking room with windows right by the ring, and we’ll have catering by Acropole Pizza. The event is family friendly too, and there is a dry area for kids and families.”
New to this event will be club uniforms for the coaches, fighters and families of the Hubtown club, which will help the team stand out.
“We wanted to have a lot of local representation at these fights,” said Mosher.
“These kids competing with the club come in four nights a week and absolutely work their guts out training. They show a lot of heart, a lot of endurance and they keep striving.”
If You Go
Hubtown Boxing Club presents Saturday Night Fights
Legends Gaming Centre – Millbrook
Saturday, May 26 – doors open at 7 p.m.
Tickets: Start at $20, with premium tables for 6-8 people available for $300. Tickets can be purchased either in person at Hubtown Boxing Club, located at 325 Highway 311 in North River, or by contacting Darrin Mosher at 902-956-0063.
Visit facebook.com/HubtownBoxing for more info.
